vcc.ca
OPTA 2462: Neuro Principles and Practice - PTA
Effective date
September 2025
Department
Occup/Physical Therapist Asst
School
Health Sciences
Description
Building on previously learned knowledge and skills, this course focuses on the practical skills required to successfully assist the Physical Therapist and their clients with varied neurological conditions. The course emphasizes physiotherapy treatments to promote functional mobility, balance and strength for clients with neurological conditions and injuries. Additionally, the course instructs students on the correct use of electro-physical agents (EPA) as a therapeutic modality as directed by the physiotherapist.
Credits
4.0
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
OPTA 1242, OPTA 1245, OPTA 1351.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the rationale for the use of selected neurorehabilitation treatment approaches.
- Perform physiotherapy treatment techniques for clients with neurological conditions and altered muscle tone.
- Explain the impact of altered cognition on physiotherapy treatment of a client with a neurological injury.
- Explain the functional outcomes of different spinal cord injury levels.
- Explain common complications post neurological injury and their impact on rehabilitation.
- Demonstrate safe and effective use of common physiotherapy equipment used in neurological treatment sessions.
- Implement common neurological outcome measures.
- Respond to changes in client status during simulated neurological treatment sessions.
- Complete accurate health record documentation based on simulated client's neurological physiotherapy treatment sessions.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 30
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 60
Total Hours: 90
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 60
Total Hours: 90
Instructional Strategies
Instructional strategies may include: Lecture, seminar, on-line learning, assignments, problem-based learning, videos, small group discussions, student-led review sessions and guest speakers. Lab activities optimize student learning of the practical skills required to work as a PTA.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
B- (68%) in both written and practical components of course
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Lab Work |
5-10 |
Lab work |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
40-50 |
Quizzes/tests |
|
Clinical Examination |
40-50 |
Clinical examinations |
|
Participation |
5 |
As per rubric |
Course topics
- Introduction to neurological rehabilitation and various treatment approaches
- Muscle tone management
- Functional mobility in the neurological client including bed mobility, standing, manual transfers, wheelchair use, and ambulation activities.
- Strength, balance and coordination in the neurological client.
- Altered sensation in the neurological client
- Altered cognition and the physiotherapist assistant in neurological rehabilitation
- Physiotherapy treatment techniques for neurological clients
- Complications post neurological injury
- Functional outcomes post spinal cord injury
- Management of progressive neurological disorders
- Electro-physical agents (EPA's)
- Documentation - Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.